Chief of Army Staff inaugurates Benue military hospital 

On Wednesday, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, commissioned a state-of-the-art medical facility in 401 Special Forces Brigade, Makurdi, Benue State.

The facility, according to the Nigerian Army’s spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu is located at the Joe Akahan Military Cantonment, Makurdi.

Nwachukwu, in a statement, quoted the COAS as stating that the Makurdi project was used as a model design for the development of other medical facilities of the Nigerian Army around the country.

Nwachukwu added, “The Intensive Care Unit of the center is also equipped with basic life support machines to save lives before referral to a higher or more advanced tertiary facility, should the need arise.

“The COAS also noted that for the delivery of pregnant women in the cantonment, the labor and maternity wards have equally been upgraded to eradicate maternal and infant mortality, often occasioned by lack of essential equipment.

“He assured that with the new facility, for women of childbearing age, there should be no cause for alarm,” Nwachukwu said.

According to the statement, the COAS explained that similar interventions had commenced in the brigade medical centers in Lokoja and Ikeja Cantonment, Lagos, while that of the Gibson Jalo Cantonment, Yola would be the next.

Lagbaja said, “When our troops are well-led and well-catered for, they will fight well to secure our dear country from internal and external threats.”

Shedding more light on the viability of the project, the Army Chief added, “It is an aggressive drive to enhance the standard of living of our warriors and members of their families.

“It is the government’s way of appreciating their sacrifices and boosting their morale.”

While commending  President Bola Tinubu for his continued support for the Nigerian Army, the COAS charged the 401 Special Forces Brigade community to take ownership of the facility and put it to good use by ensuring its adequate maintenance.